ICOM M-34 Hanheld VHF - Thoughts?

[BadFish]

So I was off work today, with nothing to do, and I headed down to the marina to see my winterized BadFish. I sat there, with a bottle of wine, thinking of the many ways I could spend money on my baby. Later stopped at a Boater's World that's on my way home, and wandered around for a while. Ended up with new fender lines, a new stainless flagpole mount, and an ICOM M-34 Handheld.

Does anyone have this VHF, reviews?

Any thoughts on it?

I refer to my electronics as "Don Johnson's," because they are all 80's-style. So I wanted to replace my VHF/GPS/Depth Sounder this year.

P.S. Anyone have a good and inexpensive GPS they'd recommend?

Cheers

Bill

[sabray]

I like the Garmin 76 for a hand held

[markpj23]

I've had 2 different ICOM hand-held VHF radios and never a bit of trouble with either. Battery life on my current one (IC-M1V) is very good and I've never had it go flat on me.

They are pricier than others but IMO worth it. Some good deals can be found on the auction websites.

[Tempest245]

I use the Garmin handheld 76 csx? ( the color one) It works on the boat and in the car. I have the usb cable and can plan trips on Mapsource on my laptop at home and upload to the unit. It runs on AA batteries. I think they're about $399. now. Accessories extra.

Two years ago, I bought the Garmin 545 for the helm, just under $1,000. It comes preloaded with the East Coast. I have it on a swivel arm mount at the helm and can remove it easily and store it.

If you get the 545s you can hook a sounder up to it.
easily. I am very happy with both units. Although, I now want to add radar and am considering a MFD vs. a seperate Radar display.

Tempest

PS....My handheld is an Icom that runs on a NC rechargable battery OR on AA's I really like this feature. I keep the AA's in the unit and the other one charged and ready to go, at the end of the day, If the AA's start to fade, it's a quick swap.

Tempest.

[waterworldly]

GENTLEMEN, YOU DIGRESS! HE ASKS ABOUT THE ICOM M34, not your advise on other radios or what you have. I have one and besides the good reception and long battery life, it is waterproof and FLOATS!

[sabray]

but he also asked about gps units any way its all conversation.

[BadFish]

good reception and long battery life, it is waterproof and FLOATS!

Fact that it floats is what sold me. How you like yours Waterworldly? Any problems?

Mark glad to here your a fan of the ICOMs, this is my first. I thought the price was right,and haven't seen any cheaper on the ebays or such.

Consensus looks good so far, thanks

Cheers

Bill

[Tempest245]

Red ink caps? Advice Censorship? whassup with that?...

[Hal]

I don't think you can go wrong with ICOM. I have two handhelds for the plane and two for the boat. Nice to have a radio that works well and floats.

[waverider]

Icom makes a great VHF, as for GPS or Chartplotter.....I really like my Standard Horizon CP180I, it can even work with a Radome as a radar. Inexpensive and reliable, C-MAPS are comman everywhere.

Cheers